Budget cuts and layoffs

Friend, I have always tried to be upfront and honest with you, our readers and activists, about the status of Daily Kos. [Which is why I am asking for your support today. Daily Kos has seen a drop in our donations—the largest source of revenue to power our work. Can you support progressive news and activism with a $5 donation?]( [PLEASE DONATE]( You are probably aware of the slow burn demise of news organizations across the country. For decades, news outlets depended on revenue from advertising to cover their operating expenses. As the internet wildly grew, Big Tech like Google, Amazon, and Facebook gained ground and power. Those companies now control and take in a vast majority of the advertising revenue leaving little leftover for news outlets—like Daily Kos. Many news organizations had to make changes to their business models in order to survive. Some, like the Washington Post and Time Magazine, found billionaire backers, the New York Times developed an expensive subscription program, others like the Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe and the Atlantic are using paywalls. Even though some of these outlets have been able to increase their revenue, these revenue models also have many drawbacks for the average reader. Other outlets were not able to evolve as quickly. Steep budget cuts, which almost every news organization has made in recent years, have often included [layoffs.]( During the pandemic, more than 22,300 media jobs were cut. Another 21,400 were lost last year alone. Based on January's media jobs losses it is estimated 10,000 jobs will be slashed in 2024. Daily Kos has not been immune to these financial hardships. Just like every other news organization, Daily Kos saw our advertising and other sources of revenue decline over the years. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we have been able to stave off the burnt of financial collapse for years. We leaned more on fundraising to make up the difference. Unfortunately, that didn't last and Daily was forced to make budget cuts and, sadly, we were forced to lay off some staff. This year, we increased our fundraising goals in hopes of being able to balance our lost revenue and continue producing the quality of work you expect from us. However, we are starting to see our fundraising efforts falter. We have missed our monthly fundraising goals in March, April, and, unless something changes, we are on track to miss our May fundraising goal. [The majority of our income to cover our work comes directly from our readers and activists. That makes us accountable to you, Friend. We know that in order to keep operating, we have to fight and deliver for what you believe in. Please help continue doing just that with a donation of $5 or more today.]( [PLEASE DONATE]( Thank you for all you do, Amanda McKay, Daily Kos If you wish to donate by mail instead, please send a check to Daily Kos, PO Box 70036, Oakland, CA, 94612. Contributions to Daily Kos are not tax deductible. If you wish to unsubscribe from Daily Kos fundraising emails, please [click here](. You will still continue receiving other types of Daily Kos emails. If you wish to unsubscribe from ALL Daily Kos emails, please click the link at the bottom of the email. Sent via [ActionNetwork.org](. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from Daily Kos, please [click here](.